Time control for sound-reproducing mechanism



A. C. DITTRICH.

TIME CONTROL FOR souwn REPRODUCING MECHAN|SM.

APPLlCATlON FILED MAY 22. 1919- I Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

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TIME CONTROL FOR souwu REPRODUCING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 22, I919- Patented Apr 20 1920,

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APPLICATION FILED IY1AY22|I9I9| 1,337,760. Patehted Apr. 20, 1920.

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AUGUST C. DITTRICH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TIME CONTROL FOB SO'UND-REPRODFICING IVZECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

Application filed May 22, 1919. Serial No. 298,836.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that 1, AUGUST 0. DITTRIGH,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time Control for Sound-Reproducing Mechanism, of which the following is the specification.

This invention relates to time control iechanism and is especially applicable for starting a sound reproducing mechanism at a predetermined hour.

My present invention embodies improvements over the disclosure or" my copending applications, Serial Numbers 265,684, filed December 7, 1918, and 281,158, filed March 7 1919.

Among the objects of this invention is to provide an improved construction of apparatus for setting into operation, at a predetermined hour, a sound reproducing mechanism; further, to provide such device that will still possess all of its desirable fea tures as an alarm or ordinary clock when not in use otherwise; further, to provide means for automatically throwing the bell out of ringing position when the brake is moved into operative position; further, to effect the automatic return of the bell to ringing position when the alarm mechanism is being wound; further, to provide means for the prevention of the continued noise and operation of the alarm mechanism after the brake has been released; further, to simplify, render more positive in action, attractive 'in appearance, economical and efficacious, apparatus of the class described; and such further objects, advantages, and capabilities as will later more fully appear.

My invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and while I have shown therein a preferred embodiment, I desire the same to be understood as illustrative only and not as limiting my invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of the sound reproducing apparatus having my invention applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the casing of my improved apparatus showing the clock in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the casing and showing the clock and certain other parts in elevation.

Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the removable back of the casing and showing the operating mechanism attached thereto; the brake being shown in extended position and the parts in the position assumed by them just prior to the release of the alarm mechanlsm.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the alarm mechanism as having been released and the winding stem having rotated sufiiciently to release the brake.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 with the rotation of the winding stem having been continued to a position to stop the alarm mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the winding stem as having been rotated in the opposite direction by re-winding to a position to return the bell into operative position.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view taken just above thebrake and showing the brake head in engagement ith the rotatable table and the sound reproducing mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that my invention contemplates a device for effecting the operation of a sound reproducing mechanism at a predetermined time, and comprises the casing 11, in which is suitably mounted a clock 2, carrying upon its top an alarm bell 3, and suitably mounted in its lower portion the brake 4 which, as shown in Fi s. 18, when moved into extended position is adapted to be placed in contact with the edge of the rotatable disk carrying table oi a sound reproducing mechanism such as a phonograph, so universally found in the home, by releasing the brake 4- at a predetermined time, the phonograph table will be released for rotation.

The back plate 5 of the casing is removable and has attached thereto the major portion of the mechanism for effecting the various operations, as seen in Figs. 4-7. Secured adjacent the bottom of the back plate 5 by means of screws 6 or the like is the bracket 7 provided with an aperture to slidably receive the stem 8, carrying the brake head 4. The end of the stem 8 is also slidably mounted in the aperture 9 of the front face of the casing, as clearly seen in Figs. 3 and 8. The brake head 4 is slidably mounted in a suitable slot or opening 10 in the back plate 5 and carries in its upper side the projection or shoulder 11, with which is adapted to be engaged when the brake is in extended position by the lip 12 of sliding catch bar 13, which is guided in its sliding movements by the screws 14, fitting in slots 15. Formed in catch bar 13 is a slot 16 adapted to receive the lower end of the lever 17, which is pivotally mounted at 18 and carries at one side of said pivot the cam face 19, and at the opposite side the extended arm 20, carrying the pin 21, with which is engaged one end of the spring 22, while the other end of said spring is secured to pin 23 mounted in the back plate 5. Spring 22 normally tends to move catch bar 13 to the left as viewed in Figs. 4 to 7 whereby when the brake rod 8 is moved into extended position by pressure upon the exposed forward end 24, the lip 12 will move in front of projection 11, whereby to hold said brake extended until said bar .13 is forced to the right, as later described.

Mounted in brake rod 8 is a pin 25 adapted to engage with lug 26 of lever arm 27, which is mounted on pin 28, carried by bracket 29, which is in turn secured to back plate 5. The upper end 30 of lever 27 engages lever 31, which is pivoted to the back plate at 32 and engages at its forward end with the slot 33 in the lower end of the vertical sliding bar 34, which at suitably spaced intervals is provided with elongated slots 35, through which extend screws 36 secured to the back plate 5, whereby to permit longitudinal movement of said bar.

Rotatably mounted in a suitable aperture in back plate 5 is a bearing plate 37, carrying at one side the arm 38 and at its lower portion the projection 39, in which is secured the pin 40, forming a connecting means for one end of the spring 41, the opposite end of which is secured to pin 42 mounted in the backing plate. Centrally formed in plate 39 is the aperture 43, which is of square or other non-circular formation, and into which is adapted to be inserted the end 44 of shaft 45, upon which is pivotally mounted the bell 3. It will of course be understood that the end 44 will be of a cross -section similar to that of the opening 43, whereby rotation of the plate 37 will rotate shaft 45 and swin said bell 33 into or out of operative position, as hereinafter set forth. Arm 38 is adapted to have articulation with the upper lateral offset end 46 of bar 34 by means of the recess 47.

As will be noted in Figs. 47, the sliding bar 34 is provided at one edge with the notch 48, within which is adapted to seat the end 49 of the horizontally arranged sliding bar 50, which is formed with the depending arm 51 formed on one side with the curved face 52 and at its bottom end with the square face 53. Plate 50 is capable of a limited sliding movement by virtue of slots 54, through which extend screws or other suitable securing means 55. The bar 50 is normally moved to the left as viewed in these figures by means of spring 56, which is secured at one end to pin 57 mounted in back plate 5, and at its other end to pin 58, carried by bar 50.

Pivotally mounted in back plate 5 is the inwardly extending arm 60, carrying projections 61 adapted to be rotated by handle 62, shown in Fig. 1, whereby to lock the alarm mechanism against operation when desired.

The brake rod 8 is normallv held in retracted position by spring 63, which is socured at one end to bracket 7 and at the other end to a pin carried by the brake rod 8.

The winding stem for the alarm mechanism is designated in Figs. 4-7 at 64, and has extending therethrough the pin 65, which at one end is formed with the cam wiper 66, and at the other end into the more extended shoulder 67. The bar 34 is formed immediately above the notch 48 with the outwardly extending curved projection 68 for a purpose to be later described.

In the operation of my improved device, the alarm mechanism, which is of the usual type and hence is not shown in detail, will be wound by the rotation of stem 64 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 7. After the alarm mechanism is wound, the stem 47 and pin 65 will assume the position shown in Fig. 4. In case the clock is to perform its usual functions, the brake stem 8 will be permitted to assume the position shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7 in other words, it will not be moved or pushed inwardly from the end 24. This will leave the bell of the alarm mechanism in position to ring in the usual manner, as will be later more fully understood. In case, however, it is desired to use this device for releasing a phonograph or the like at a predetermined hour, the brake stem 8 is pushed inwardly to bring the brake head 4 into extended position, at which time it will be placed in contact with the edge E of the rotatable table T of the phonograph, as

clearly shown in Fig. 8. This movement of the rod 8 will cause the pin 25 to engage the lug 26, thus swinging lever 27, which in turn will operate lever 31 and elevate the sliding bar 34 in an obvious manner. This upward movement of bar 34 will rotate plate 37 into the position illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the result of which is to effect rotation of shaft 45 to swing bell 3 into inoperative position to prevent ringing of the same upon release of the alarm mechanism. Also, during this forward movement of brake rod 8, projection 11 will move beyond catch 12 and permit the latter to immediately jump into place on the action of spring 22, whereby to hold brake head 4 in extended position until released. Upward movement of the sliding bar 34 will bring the notch 48 into position to permit the entry into the same of the end 49 of the horizontal sliding bar 50, whereby to lock the bar 34 in elevated position until released, as hereinafter set forth.

The parts are now in the position illustrated in Fig. 4 and, as explained, when the apparatus is being used in connection with a phonograph or the like, the head 4 will frictionally engage the rotatable table E to hold the same against rotation until released. At the predetermined hour (governed by the setting of the alarm dial), the alarm mechanism will be released, causing stem 64 to rotate in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 4, which rotation will bring the cam wiper 66 into the position shown in Fig. 5, which will depress cam face 19, moving the lower end of lever 17 to the right, as viewed in this figure, which in turn will causemovement of bar 13 to the right, thus releasing shoulder 11, thereby permitting brake head 4 under action of spring 63 to move inwardly with relation to the casing, whereby to release the rotatable table T and permit operation of the phonograph or the like at said predetermined hour.

It is also important to note that I have provided means for stopping the operation of the alarm mechanism as soon as the brake head 4 is released, whereby to eliminate any possible noise of the alarm mechanism, which would interfere more or less with the enjoyment of the music of the phonograph. This latter result is accomplished by projection 67 of pin assuming by the continued rotation of stem 64 the position shown in Fig. 6, in which it contacts with the end face 53 of projection 51 on bar 50, thus stopping the alarm mechanism from further operation as soon as the brake head has been released. It will be noted that the alarm bell 3 is still in inoperative position, as seen by the position of the square opening 43 in plate 37 of Fig. 6.

As clearly illustrated in Fig. 7 rotation of stem 64 in the opposite direction when re winding the alarm mechanism will move projection 67 away from depending arm 51 and bring said projection into contact with face 52, as shown in Fig. '7, to cause movement of bar 50 to the right, which, in an obvious manner, will release sliding bar 34 and permit the same on action of spring 41 to move downwardly, thus returning the bell to ringing position.

It will thus be seen that, in addition to other accomplishments, my improved de vice will automatically swing the bell into inoperative position upon the setting of the brake head, will return the bell to operative position upon re-winding the alarm mechanism, and will stop operation of the alarm mechanism when the brake head has been released. Curved face 68 holds arm 51 away from contact with projection 67 to permit rotation of stem 64 when the alarm is operating in its ordinary manner.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In apparatus of the class described, alarm mechanism comprising a bell, means for holding a sound reproducing mechanism against operation, means connecting said first mentioned means and said alarm mechanism to release the former by operation of the latter at a predetermined hour, and means for automatically moving the bell into inoperative position upon the movement of said first mentioned means into operative position.

2. In apparatus of the class described, alarm mechanism having a pivotally mounted bell, a brake adapted, when extended, to contact with the rotary table of a sound reproducing mechanism to hold the same against rotation, means for releasing the brake upon operation of the alarm mechanism at a predetermined hour, means for moving the bell into inoperative position upon the moving of said brake into oper ative position, and means for automatically returning the bell to operative position upon the winding of said alarm mechanism.

3. In apparatus of the class described, a clock including alarm mechanism having a bell, means controlled by said alarm mechanism for releasing for operation a sound reproducing mechanism at a predetermined hour, and means for automatically moving said bell to inoperative position upon setting said first mentioned means.

4. In apparatus of the class described, a clock including alarm mechanism having a bell, means for holding the rotatable table of a sound reproducing mechanism against rotation, means operated by said alarm mechanism to release said first mentioned means to permit rotation of said table at a predetermined hour, and means for stopping the operation of the alarm mechanism upon the release of said first mentioned means.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a clock including alarm mechanism having a bell, means for holding against rotation the table of a sound reproducing mechanism, means controlled by said alarm mechanism for releasing said first mentioned means at a predetermined hour, means to automatically move said bell to inoperative position upon the movement 01? said first mentioned means to operative position, and means to prevent the return of the bell to operative position until the alarm mechanism is rewound.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a clock comprising a frame having a brake slidably mounted therein adapted to contact with the rotatable element of a sound reproducing mechanism, alarm mechanism comprising a winding stem, a projection on said stem, a lever having a cam face whereby said lever will be moved by said projection upon rotation of said stem, and a locking element engaging said lever and said brake to release the latter upon operation ofthe alarm mechanism at a predetermined hour.

7. In appartus oi the class described, a casing having a clock mounted therein, said clock comprising alarm mechanism having a bell pivotally mounted on an axis above said clock, a non-circular extension on said axis, a bearing rotatably mounted in said casing to receive said extension, a brake slidably mounted in said casing adapted when extended to hold a sound reproducing mechanism against rotation, and means connecting said brake and said bearing whereby movement of the brake to operative position will antomatically move the bell to inoperative position.

8. In apparatus of the class described, a casing having a clock mounted therein, said clock comprising alarm mechanism having a bell pivotally mounted on an axis above said clock, a non-circular extension on said axis, a bearing rotatably mounted in said casing to receive said extension, a brake slidably mounted in said casing adapted when extended to hold a sound reproducing mechanism against rotation, and means connecting said brake and said bearing whereby movement of the brake to operative position will automatically move the bell to inoperative position, and means operated by the rewinding of the alarm mechanism to return said bell into operative position.

9. In apparatus of the class described, a casing having a clock mounted therein, colrprising alarm mechanism ha ving a bell, a brake slidably mounted in said casing, means for moving said bell into inoperative position when said brake is moved to operative position, a winding stem for said alarm mechanism, means for releasing said brake upon rotation of said stem in one direction, and means for moving said bell again into operative position when said stem is rotated in the opposite direction.

10. In apparatus of the class described, a casing having a clock mounted therein, a bell pivotally mounted on said clock, a brake slidably mounted in said casing, and means for automatically moving said bell into inoperative position upon movement of said brake into operative position.

11. In apparatus of the class described, a casing having a clock mounted therein having alarm mechanism including a hell, a brake slidably mounted in said casing, means for moving the bell into inoperative position upon mm'ement of said brake, a winding stem for said alarm mechanism, and means associated with said winding stem, brake, and bell to release said brake upon rotation of the stem in one direction, to stop the actuation of the alarm mechanism after said brake has been released, and to return the bell to operative position upon the rewinding of the alarm mechanism.

12. Inapparatus of the class described, a casing having a clock therein, a slidable brake, a releasable catch to hold said brake extended, a lever for actuating said catch, a cam on said lever, alarm mechanism having a winding stem, a second lever operated by forward movement of said brake, a sliding bar operated by said second lever, a bell swingingly mounted on said clock and movable by said bar, a second sliding bar having a catch to hold said first mentioned bar in elevated position, a depending arm on said second sliding bar extending adjacent said stem, whereby rotation of said stem in one direction will actuate said first mentioned lever to release said brake, continued rotation of said stem will stop said alarm mechanism, and rotation in the opposite direction will return said bell to operative position.

13. In apparatus of the class described, a casing, alarm mechanism, a brake slidably mounted therein, means for releasing said brake upon operation of the alarm mechanism, and means for automatically stopping the operation of the alarm mechanism when said brake is released.

H. In apparatus of the class described, a casing, alarm mechanism, a brake operatively connected thereto, means for releasing said brake upon operation of the alarm mechanism, and means for automatically stopping the operation of the alarm mechanism when said brake is released.

15. In automatic release mechanism, alarm mechanism, holding means operatively con nected thereto means for releasing said holding means to release the held mechanism upon operation of the alarm mechanism and means for automatically stopping the operation of the alarm mechanism When said holding means is released.

16. In apparatus of the class described, a clock comprising a frame having a brake slidably mounted therein, adapted to contact With the rotatable element of a sound reproducing mechanism, alarm mechanism comprising a Winding stem, a projection on said stem, a lever having a cam face whereby said lever will be moved by said projection upon rotation of said stem, and means connecting said lever and said brake to release the latter upon operation of the alarm mechanism at a predetermined hour.

In Witness whereof I hereunto subscribe by name to this specification.

AUGUST C. DITTRICH. 

